LEARN ENGLISH phrases using HEART \ English Addict with Mr Duncan -16 #englishaddictwithmrduncan

It is interesting how many English words relating to the body are used as idioms.

By this I am of course referring to the names of parts of the body, both on the outside

and on the inside. Underneath the skin.

Today I thought I would  concentrate on one particular 

part of the body that might be described as vital.

It is a vital part of the body.

Something vital is important and necessary.

In this case, we need this particular body part to survive,

which is why it is often referred to as a vital body part or an important organ.

Today we are looking at words and phrases connected to the heart.

For example, we can have  the phrase 'heart of gold',

a person who is kind natured or generous 

with their time and always  shows respect to other people,

might be described as having a heart of gold.

They are seen as good, kind,  generous and respectful.

That person has a heart of gold.

Then we have a slightly negative one

which describes the feeling of wanting to give up or quit doing something.

The phrase is 'lose heart'.

A person might lose heart when things are not going as well as they should be.

You might become unhappy and despondent.

The feeling of being disappointed by one's efforts might lead them to lose heart.

They feel like giving up.

The next heart phrase is a positive one,

something that is an important part of a business or a group who are undertaking some type of task.

The most important part of something.

The phrase we often use to  describe this is ‘heart and soul’.

The heart and soul of something is what drives a thing forward.

The heart and soul of a company.

Of course, we are talking about the employees.

They are the most important part of the business.

They are the people who keep everything going.

They are the heart and soul of the business.

Any important thing that  helps something to survive

or operate can also be  described as the heart and soul.

Our next heart phrase concerns a person who is 

sentimental and often feels  the emotions of others.

That person normally has deep feelings and may 

become emotional over anything  that they feel strongly about.

The phrase is 'soft hearted'.

A soft hearted person is someone who is emotional.

They carry a deep sense of emotional connection or feeling for others.

A soft hearted person might also be described as having a heart of gold.

If two people are having a  deep, meaningful conversation 

about an important part of their lives,

we might say that they are having a 'heart to heart' conversation.

Two or more people who are expressing their feelings for each other

can be described as having a heart to heart.

Two people in a relationship will often discuss how they feel for each other.

They are having a heart to heart conversation.

The next phrase is an unhappy one.

The feeling of devastation  that one might experience 

as a reaction to something bad happening.

A sad loss or a deep disappointment might cause a person to feel 'heartache'.

It is the emotional response to a terrible thing that has happened.

You feel heartache.

You experience the feeling of heartache.

A person who feels heartache can be described as being 'heartbroken'.

A heartbroken lover whose partner has just left them.

They feel heartache because of what happened.

They are heartbroken.

Sometimes people like to change their minds about something.

They might have a change of opinion,

or they might alter their feelings about a person or situation.

We can say that person has  had 'a change of heart'.

They have rethought their idea or opinion.

They no longer have the same feeling about something.

They have had a change of heart.

A person who is sensitive to things that might be 

shocking or upsetting can be  described as 'faint hearted'.

That person has a faint heart.

This is used in a figurative sense to show that someone has a sensitive nature.

They are easily upset or distressed by things.

A scary ride at an amusement park might be described as being not for the faint hearted.

To do something without any hesitation or thought can be described as doing it 'in a heartbeat'.

There is no need to think about it.

A decision that is made quickly without any hesitation is done in a heartbeat.

The chance to do something that you've always wanted to try

might be expressed as doing something in a heartbeat.

You would not have to think  about it for very long. 

You would do it straight away in a heartbeat.

To perform a song or poem without having any book or text in front of you

can be described as doing it 'by heart'.

To do something by heart means you are doing it without any help.

You have memorised the words.

You know what the song is and you are able to perform it without any help.

You sing the song by heart.

You recite the poem by heart.

You have practised that particular thing and now you can do it from memory.

You are doing it by heart.

A person, who is not very  good at hiding their emotions,

or their deep feelings about something, might 

be described as 'wearing  their heart on their sleeve'.

To ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’ means 

you express your emotions and  your inner desires freely.

A person might also show their true character, including their weaknesses.

Sometimes, wearing your heart on your sleeve can be seen as a negative thing.

That person is giving away too much about their own feelings.

They are wearing their heart on their sleeve.

A person who is attractive to others, especially in the movie or modelling industry

might be described as a 'heartthrob'.

This particular term is normally used to describe an attractive male.

A heartthrob can also be described as an idol.

A movie heartthrob is an attractive man who appears in movies.

Here is a lovely phrase that we often use when we want to show how much a person means to someone.

When two people are together,  everything is perfect, 

but when they are apart, things are not so good.

They will often miss each other.

We often described this as 'absence, making the heart grow fonder'.

It is usual in relationships for those involved to 

feel deep longing when they  are apart from each other.

Hence, the phrase 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'.

Finally, we can use the word  'heart' to describe the feeling 

of wanting something very much.

A deep longing for a certain thing, or an activity that you are keen to do.

We can say that you 'have your heart set on it'.

To have your heart set on something means you are keen to have that particular thing.

You want to do something.

You have your heart set on it.

It is something you desire to have or do.

And there they are.

A lovely selection of words  and phrases connected to heart.

There might be some others that I've missed out.

If so, feel free to leave  them in the comments below.

I look forward to seeing you  very soon for another lesson.

In fact, I have my heart set on it.

Enjoy learning English.

And of course, until the next time we meet.

Ta ta for now.